Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 6th, 2014 8:45AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Northwest Coastal.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Tuesday: Light snowfall / Moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 600mWednesday: Moderate to locally heavy snowfall / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 700mThursday: Light snowfall / Moderate to strong southwest winds / Freezing level at 700m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity reported.

Snowpack Summary

In general the snowpack seems shallower and more faceted in the northern part of the region, and deeper with more wind and storm slab problems in the south. At 1900m on an east aspect in the Shames area the height of snow was 193 cm. Isolated pockets of wind slab were reported due to recent moderate to strong variable winds. A new layer of surface hoar has developed below about 1100 metres. The recent storm snow has settled into about a 25 cm layer that is sitting above several laminated thin melt/freeze crusts. Moderate sudden planar shears were experienced in snowpack tests down about 40 cm in a weak facet layer that is sitting above a melt/freeze crust from Christmas. Deeper early December facetted crystals were found to be rounding and gaining strength in this area.

Problems

Wind Slabs

New pockets of wind slab may have formed due to recent northwest and southwest winds at higher elevations.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>Watch for areas of hard wind slab in steep alpine features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

A weak layer of buried facets near the ground continues to be a concern in the North of the region. The snowpack is quite variable across the region. Try to get local knowledge if you are traveling to new areas.

Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried weak layers.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Jan 7th, 2014 2:00PM